Buckskin Johnny Spaulding Cabin - Belle Fourche, SD
Posted by: 
YoSam.
N 44° 40.455 W 103° 51.188
13T E 590901 N 4947404
This cabin has two markers on it, both have similar text.
Waymark Code: WMPMD3
Location: South Dakota, United States
Date Posted: 09/20/2015
Views: 8
County of marker: Butte County
Location of marker: 415 5th Ave, Center of the Nation Monument site, Spaulding Cabin, Belle Fourche
Marker 1 erected by: State of South Dakota
Marker 2 erected by: The Black Hills Half Century Club
Marker 2 erected: 1963
Marker 1 text:
"BUCKSKIN JOHNNY"
SPAULDING CABIN
This cabin built in 1876 of logs split & transported by Spaulding from the Black Hills, was the first home on the Red Water & what became Butte County. An experienced scout, familiar with the ways of the Sioux, he acted as lookout from Sundance Hill, warning settlers when war parties approached the junction of the Belle Fourche & Redwater Rivers. "Buckskin Johnny" lived here for 20 years, until wanderlust drew him westward in 1896 to California. There he was reunited with childhood sweetheart Nettie. They married in 1927, after a 53 yr. separation. "Buckskin" got his wish to return to Belle in 1926 to visit his sister, Lucinda Davis. He received military honor at his burial in 1932.
HISTORIC STRUCTURE
Marker 2 Text :
BUCKSKIN JOHNNY CABIN
BUILT IN 1876
This cabin, the first in this vicinity was built by John T. Spaulding and his brother-in-law, Thomas J. Davis, in 1876-77 as a home for himself and Mr. and Mrs. Lucinda Davis and family. It was located on Lower Redwater, 2½ miles S.E. of here from logs felled in the Black Hills and hauled by team to the original site. The cabin was donated to the Belle Fourche Lions Club by Mr. and Mrs William Helmer to be moved to the city of Belle Fourche and restored to as near the original as possible by the Belle Fourche Lions Club as a historic monument to the early day frontiersmen.